Cleaner for nursing-bottle nipples



March 22 1927.

R. M. BROPHY C LEANER FOR NURSING BOTTLE NIPPLES Filed Aug. 27. 1926 INVENTOR w BY ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 22, 1927 UNITED STATES ROSANNA MARIA BROPHY, or JERSEY CITY,

NEW JERSEY.

CLEANER FOR NURSING-BOTTLE NIPPLES.

Application filed. August 27, 1926. Serial No. 131,973.

This invention relates toimprovements in cleaners for nursing bottle nipples.

The'primary object of the inventlon resides in a device for keeping the nipple of a nursing bottle in a'sanitary'condition by flushing the inside of the same with hot Water after each use of the nipple.

Another object of the invention is to provide a'device for forming a new opening in the end of the nipple when applying the nipple thereto.

A further object'of the invention is the provision of a nipple cleamng device which includes a bracket adapted to be rigidly mounted upon a supporting structure, for removably supporting a nipple form member, over which .member the nipple to be cleaned is drawn, the nipple being first filled with water, whereby when slipped over the form, water will be forced through the restricted opening in the end of the nipple, thus thoroughly cleaning the walls of the opening and the inner walls of the nipple.

WVith these and other objects in view, the invention resides in certain novel construction and combination and arrangement of parts the essential features of which are hereinafter fullydescribed, are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawin in which igure 1 is a perspective view of my improved nipple cleaning device.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same showing a nipple in position thereon.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the manner of forming a new opening in the end of the nipple.

Figure 4 is a side elevation illustrating the use of the supporting bracket for the purpose of draining a nursing bottle.

igure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the reference numeral 10 designates my improved nipple cleaning device in its entirety, and which includes a bracket 11 provided with an attaching plate 12 at one end and a ring 13 at its other end. The bracket is adapted to be rigidly mounted on a supporting structure by passing screws or the like 14 through openings in the attaching plate 12. The ring 13 serves as a seat for a form member 15 of a shape corresponding to the shape of a nursing bottle nipple, and

which form member has a flange 16 at its base for overlying the ring when in position thereon. The form member in the present instance is constructed of hard material.

such as hard rubber, but may also be made of any suitable metal if desired.

For clamping the form member in position upon the bracket, I provide a clamping ring 17 which is pivotally connected to the bracket 11 as at 18 so as to swing on a horizontal plane above the ring 13, and is adapted to be brought into alignment with the ring 13 for clamping engagement with the end of the form member for holding the same rigid in .the bracket. For bringing the clamping ring 17 into alignment with the ring 13 and for retaining the same in such position, I provide the ring 17 with aspring clip 19 for engagement with the ring 13.

From the description thus far, it will be seen'that the form member 15 is suspended from the bracket, and for cleaning the inner walls of a nipple 20, the said nipple is first filled with hot water and then brought up under the form member so as to fit thereov-er. The form member acts in the nature of a plunger for forcing the water from the nipple through the usual restricted opening 21 in the closed end thereof. As the nipple slips over the form, the water therein is gradually forced. out under pressure, after which the nipple may be left on the form to dry and remain thereon until again used. The form member also tends to retain the original shape of the nipple when not in use. By flushing the inner walls of the nipple and the walls of the opening with water, the nipple may be kept in a highly sanitary condition, as it will be appreciated that it is the tendency of germs to collect inside the nipple and within the walls of the restricted opening.

For the purpose of preparing a new opening 21 in the end of a nipple, I insert a needle 22 through the longitudinal center of the form member as clearly shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, so that the pointed end of the needle projects slightly from the end of the form member. The needle is anchored in the form member by a pin 23 passing transversely through the form member and through the eye 2 1 of the needle. In practice, the nipple is brought up against the pointed end of the needle, whereby to punch a hole through the same. The needle I on may also be used for dislodging any food substance or dirt which might collect in the opening 21 already formed in the nipple.

The bracket 11 in addition to serving as a support or holder for the form member 15 may be used as a holder for a nursing bottle for holding the same in an upset posi tion after washing of the bottle to drain any liquid therefrom. When used for this purpose, the clamping ring 17 is swung to one side so that the body of the bottle rests upon the ring 13, wit-lithe neck of the bottle extending through said ring. It will be unde stood that the form member may be removed from the supporting bracket when desired for washing; of the same in order to keep the form member in a clean and sanitar-y condition.

If desired, the form member 15 may be removed from the support or holder and given to a baby to serve as a teething device or pacifier. that the needle and pin are first removed. The flange 16 acts as a guard for preventing the member from being swallowed by the baby while sucking thereon.

While I have described what I claim to be the most desirable embodiment of my invention, it obvious that many of the details may be varied without in any way departing from the spirit of my invention, and I therefore do not limit myself to the exact details ot' construction herein set forth nor to anything less than the whole of my invention limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is 1. A device ofthe class described comprising a supporting bracket having a ring at one end thereof, form member of a shape to receive a nursing bottle nipple thereto It will of course be appreciated and provided with a flange for seating engagement with said ring, and a clamping ring movable into alignment with said ring and engaging said form member for holding the same seatediupon said rin 2. A device of the class described comprising a supporting bracket having a ring at one end thereof, a form member of a shape to receive a nursingbottle nipple thereto and provided with a flange for seating engagement with said ring, a clamping ringmovable into alignment with said ring -and-engaging said form member for holding the same seated upon said ring, and locking means carried by said clamping ring and engageable with said first ring: when said clamping ring is moved into alignment with said first rin 3. In a device of the class described, a form member of a shape similar to a-nursing bottle nipple formed of a relativelyarigid material, and a needle extending through said form member and having its pointed end projecting beyond oneend ofsaid .form' member wherebyto punch a hole in anipple when drawn thereon.

l. In a device of the class described, .:a form member ofa shape similarzto ainursing bottle nipple formed of .a relatively rigid material, through saidtorm member and having its pointed end projecting beyondone-endiof said form member Wherebyto punchsahole in a nipple whendrawn thereon, anda pin passing memberandthrough the eye ofvsaid needle tor anchoring said-needle therein.

In testimony whereof I hereby afiix my signature.

and a ,needle extending transversely through said rm-m ROSANNA MARI-A BRornY. '7 

